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Sumit SinghalSumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

The project started with a strong statement of intent: to re-think the way an office block is traditionally organized. Circulation which usually occurs in the centre has been diverted to the facades. In this way, the building is completely open to its environment. Thanks to the many terraces, all building users will enjoy stunning vistas. Office workers can meet on these balconies for informal meetings and to take in the views. In this way, working outdoors and making the most of the Mediterranean climate will become second nature.

The architecture of the building intelligently caters for collective and personal needs, with a focus on comfort and adapting to the local climate. Essential elements, such as vertical circulation, elevator shafts, toilets and technical premises are efficiently distributed so as to free up the other surfaces. The poles and girders system of construction creates open spaces: either large spaces which can house entire companies or partitions.

The office block with terraces in the Nice Méridia ZAC (urban development zone) has been designed to set the bar for bioclimatic office buildings.

The facades serve as an interface between outside and inside, providing better control over the building’s indoor climate. The South-facing facade has been designed with more prominent overhanging elements to shade it from the sun; it includes a staircase and is covered in plants facing the Merida courtyard. The facade at the heart of the island, facing West, has been designed with deeper balconies (the light hitting these areas is more horizontal). The plants on this facade shade building users from the view of residential buildings in the island opposite.